Skill Needs for the Solar Energy Workforce
Abstract
The International Renewable Energy Alliance (REN-A), in collaboration with the United Nations International Labour Organization (UN-ILO) recently completed a report on skill needs for renewable energy to help direct further support for training programs and policies worldwide. ISES developed the solar energy component which included a description of the multi-tiered nature of the solar workforce; the solar industry growth and the implications for workforce development in different parts of the world; how people are developing the needed skills to fill these jobs and how training varies across countries; and recommendations for improving the workforce. Findings for the solar sector are based primarily on reviews of existing assessments, supplemented with results from interviews and/or surveys from training providers, businesses, and associations. This paper draws from the REN-A/UN-ILO effort, highlighting the key recommendations for accelerating the development of a growing qualified solar workforce.